Grand Cayman

Snorkeling

The proximity of healthy, Technicolor reef to the Grand Cayman shore means endless possibilities for snorkelers. Some sites require you to simply wade or swim into the surf; others are only accessible via boat. Nearly every snorkeling outfit follows the same route, beginning with the scintillating Stingray City and Sandbar. They usually continue to the adjacent Coral Gardens and often farther out along the Barrier Reef. Equipment is included, sometimes drinks, snacks, and lunch. Half-day tours run $35-$40, full-day $60-$70, and there are often extras such as kids' discounts and a complimentary shuttle to and from Seven Mile Beach resorts. Other popular trips combine Eden Rock, Cheeseburger Reef, and the wreck of the Cali off George Town. Most decent-size boats offer cover, but bring sunscreen and a hat.

Snorkeling Sites

Barrier Reef. A Barrier Reef separates the North Sound and Cayman's celebrated wall drop-off (part of a 6,000-foot underwater mountain). You can snorkel along the shallow side, which is crawling with critters of all shapes, sizes, and colors. Grand Cayman.

Cemetery Reef. Cemetery Reef sits 50 yards out from the north end of Seven Mile Beach, within walking distance of several condo resorts. Fish here are also accustomed to being fed, so blue tangs to blue-headed wrasse and bat jacks to black durgeon could swarm around you. Grand Cayman.

Cheeseburger Reef. Cheeseburger Reef earned its unusual moniker thanks to its location straight out from the downtown Burger King. It's also known as Soto's Reef after legendary diver Bob Soto, one of the islands' original dive operators. The eye-popping, 12,000-year-old coral formations begin 20 yards offshore, with larger heads a mere 10 feet down, though it reaches depths of 40 feet. You can swim through numerous tunnels where turtles and tarpon hang out; people have long fed fish in the area, and they're not shy, wanting it their way, but beware of snapping snappers if you bring food. Grand Cayman.

Coral Gardens. Coral Gardens, which is very near Stingray Sandbar, attracts nurse sharks, moray eels, queen conch, lobster, and not just schools but universities of jacks, tangs, sergeant majors, parrot fish, yellowtails, and others playing hide-and-seek with riotously colored soft and hard corals. It really is like swimming in an aquarium. Grand Cayman.

Eden Rock. Eden Rock, in George Town next to Paradise Bar & Grill, is even more spectacular for divers, who can explore its caves and tunnels, then proceed to Devil's Grotto. Still, from the surface you can see schools of sergeant majors, yellowtail snappers, parrot fish, tarpon, Bermuda chubs, even the occasional stingray and turtle. Grand Cayman.

Stingray Sandbar. Stingray Sandbar (as opposed to Stingray City, the popular 12-foot dive) is the stellar snorkeling attraction on Grand Cayman and simply not to be missed; dozens of boats head here several times daily. The area is always less crowded if you can go on a day when there are fewer cruise ships in port. Grand Cayman.

Wreck of the Cali. The Wreck of the Cali sits offshore in George Town harbor roughly 50 yards out from Rackam's and Hammerheads pubs. You can still identify parts such as engines and winches of this old sailing freighter, which settled about 20 feet down. The sponges are particularly vivid, and tropical fish, shrimp, and lobster abound. Many operators based in George Town and Seven Mile Beach come here, as well as Eden Rock. Grand Cayman.

Snorkeling Operators

Bayside Watersports. Bayside Watersports offers half-day snorkeling trips, North Sound beach lunch excursions, Stingray City and dinner cruises, and full-day deep-sea fishing. The company operates several popular boats out of West Bay's Morgan's Harbour. Full-day trips include lunch and conch diving in season (November-April). Grand Cayman. 345/949-3200. www.baysidewatersports.com.

Captain Crosby's Watersports. Captain Crosby's Watersports offers favorably priced snorkeling (and dive) excursions on a well-equipped 47-foot trimaran; $30 includes lunch. Captain Crosby is one of the more colorful captains among a group of genuine characters (he maintains a friendly rivalry with his fellow sailors regarding who really jump-started Stingray City tours). He's actively involved in preserving Cayman's maritime heritage as a founder of the Catboat Association. As a bonus, the trips are usually a little longer in duration; expect a sing-along with the captain on his guitar at some point. You can also arrange deep-sea fishing charters. Grand Cayman. 345/945-4049 or 345/916-1725. www.captaincrosbyswatersports.com.

Captain Marvin's. Multistop North Sound snorkeling trips, as well as fishing charters and land tours, are offered here. The indomitable, irrepressible Captain Marvin, one of the first regular Stingray City operators (in business since 1951), is still going strong in his 90s. Full-day trips include lunch and conch dives in season (November-April), when the crew prepares marinated conch as the appetizer. The half day (three hours) is a better deal than the quickie trips; the only drawback is the relatively large groups. Reservations can be made only from 10 am to 3 pm on weekdays or via the website. Cash payments usually receive a discount. Grand Cayman. 345/945-4590, 345/945-6975, 345/945-7306, or 866/978-6364. www.captainmarvins.com.

Ebanks Watersports. Ebanks Watersports is run by a large family long known for its aquatic activities. Shawn Ebanks offers a range of water-sports activities, including various snorkeling tours, private charters, fishing, and his popular Yamaha wave-runner snorkel tours (the last are costlier, $125 for single riders, $175 for two). The crew is both friendly and experienced; they're particularly adept at holding the stingrays for the ultimate photo op; they'll even teach you how to pick one up yourself. His two custom-fitted boats (a 45-foot Garcia and 34-foot Wellcaraft Scarab) include GPS navigation, VHS radio, freshwater shower, and other necessities. Grand Cayman, KY1-1010. 345/925-5273. www.ebankswatersports.com.

Fantasea Tours. Captain Dexter Ebanks runs Fantasea Tours on his 38-foot trimaran, Don't Even Ask. He doesn't pack you in like sardines (20 people max) and is particularly helpful with first-timers. Like many of the captains, he has his own pet names for the rays (ask him to find Lucy, whom he "adopted") and rattles off fascinating factoids during an entertaining, non-stop narration. It's a laid-back trip, with Bob Marley and Norah Jones on the sound system, and fresh fruit and rum punch on tap. 345/916-0754. www.dexters-fantaseatours.com.

Kirk Sea Tours. Kirk Sea Tours caters to cruise-ship passengers on 60- to 65-foot boats, as well as the 28-passenger glass-bottom Reef Roamer, snorkeling along the West Wall including Cheeseburger Reef. Sometimes it seems the snorkelers outnumber the fish, but the price is right and it's less frenzied when fewer cruise ships are in port. Kirk also rents kayaks for $20 (and can arrange guided tours), Jet Skis ($65 single, $90 double per half hour), paddleboats ($20), and Snuba gear (with instruction). Grand Cayman. 345/949-7278 or 345/949-6986.

Red Sail Sports. Red Sail Sports offers Stingray City, sunset, and evening sails (including dinner in winter) on its luxurious 65-foot catamarans, the Spirits of Cayman, Poseidon, Calypso, and Ppalu. It often carries large groups; although the service may not be personal, it will be efficient. In addition to the large cats, a glass-bottom boat takes passengers to Stingray City/Sandbar and nearby coral reefs. The cost ranges from $40 to $80. Grand Cayman, KY1-1206. 345/949-8745, 345/623-5965, or 877/506-6368. www.redsailcayman.com.

More Sports and Outdoors

• Bird-watching
• Diving
• Fishing
• Golf
• Guided Tours
• Hiking
• Horseback Riding

• Kayaking
• Sailing
• Sea Excursions
• Skating and Skateboarding
• Snorkeling
• Squash and Tennis
• Windsurfing and Kiteboarding